Machete Film Review

Labor Day Weekend is incomplete without a mandatory stop by the local movie house to see Robert Rodriguez’s latest Grindhouse film “Machete.”   Its star Danny Trejo plays a hard-as-steel Mexican federale who must both clear his name in a botched political assassination AND save defenseless illegal immigrants from a savage border patrolling militia. 

If the storyline sounds apropos given the current political climate in Arizona, it is.  In the grindhouse genre’s fashion, Rodriguez masterfully taps into to the political zeitgeist for mass appeal.  Some potential moviegoers have commented on various blogs and websites that they will not see the film because of its “pro-illegal immigration” message.  But it is clear to anyone who has actually seen “Machete” that the film is not pro-illegal immigration, but merely an intentionally ham-fisted exploitation of the extreme views extolled by both sides of the political debate. And of course, everyone loves a “Hollywood” ending where good prevails over evil.  “Machete” delivers on this front.

As a bloody, action-packed “b-movie” with loads of gratuitous “T&A” and a comic book–like storyline, “Machete” rocks on every level.  The film often mimics the amateurish feel of a b-movie, with rough transitions and muted colors.   And, characters are ceremoniously introduced and then mysteriously disappear without notice or resolution, providing lots of comedic relief. 

As for requisite gratuitous nudity, female cast members Alicia Rachel Marek and Mayra Leal do the heavy lifting, offering excellent performances either partially or completely naked, allowing talented beauties Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez to show a minimal amount of A-list skin while satisfying the nerdiest of geeks.  Because the “T&A” is not integral to the storyline, it is absolutely essential to maintaining the integrity of this kind of movie. 

With an all star cast of skilled Hollywood beauties and serious players such as Robert De Niro, Don Johnson, Steven Segal, Cheech Marin and Jeff Fahey on board, “Machete” is entertaining to the core.

No related posts.